A major incident of violence against on-duty personnel has shaken the Kolkata Police, following a drunk driving check in the Behala area on Wednesday night. The episode saw two civic volunteers assaulted by an intoxicated motorist, leading to injuries and a new directive from police headquarters.
Reckless Driving Leads to Drunk Driving Test
The confrontation began around 10:30 pm at the crossing of James Long Sarani and SN Roy Road. Officers from the James Long Traffic Guard and Behala Police noted a car being driven recklessly from east to west along SN Roy Road. The vehicle was promptly intercepted by civic volunteers for a routine breathalyser test.
The test result was alarming. The driver was found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 73.0 mg/100ml, which is significantly above the permissible legal limit in India. This confirmed the police's initial suspicion of drunk driving.
Refusal and Sudden Assault on Volunteers
The situation escalated rapidly when the accused driver was asked to step out of his car for the subsequent legal procedure and possible confiscation of the vehicle. He allegedly refused to comply.
In a sudden and violent turn, the driver then launched an attack on the two on-duty civic volunteers who had intercepted him. The volunteers, identified as SK Irsad Ali and Asit Malik, sustained injuries in the assault. Following the attack, both were provided medical treatment at the Vidyasagar State General Hospital.
Kolkata Police Responds with Body Camera Directive
This incident has triggered a significant administrative response from the top brass at Lalbazar, the Kolkata Police headquarters. A directive has been issued emphasizing the absolute necessity for all officers to ensure their body-worn cameras are functional and recording during duty.
An officer pointed out a crucial gap in this specific case: the civic volunteers were not equipped with body cameras as they are not issued the same. "In such cases, their seniors must record the same," the officer stated, highlighting the new protocol to ensure evidence collection even when junior personnel lack the equipment.
The attack underscores the risks faced by police personnel during routine checks and has reinforced the force's push for technological accountability through body cameras.
